Cheswick taxes remain the same, sewage rate increases in 2022 budget

Cheswick Borough property owners will not see an increase in taxes next year but will pay more for sewage.

Cheswick officials unanimously voted 7-0 to approve the $2.2 million budget keeping the tax rate at 5.6 mills. The general fund is $1.9 million. Cheswick council member Brad Yaksich was absent for the vote.

Councilman Frank Meledandri said everything will remain the same except the sewer rates, which will significantly increase.

“The Lower Valley Sewage Authority has to complete a $100 million project they financed through a bond and passed the costs onto the various entities that use their services,” he said.

While there will be an increase, Meledandri, said Cheswick will remain or be among the lowest on sewage rates.

Borough Secretary Lorraine Zebrine said the sewage variable rate will go from $3.40 to $3.50 per 1000 gallons. That will mean a flat rate of $314.48 per year or $78.62 per quarter.

Meledandri said the borough has three major projects in the works planned for next year.

A waterline will be placed underneath the railroad tracks through the Rachel Carson Park in Cheswick to provide water and sewage. A restroom is planned to be placed there.

The restrooms will be restored at MacLean Parklet, after being in bad condition for years.

Both projects will cost an estimated $67,000 total.

Paving and waterline replacements are planned for three streets. Two alleys are planned to be paved. The streets chosen will be based on the engineer’s recommendation. Each project is estimated to cost more than $100,000, Meledandri said.

Meledandri said, financially, the borough is in solid shape.

“It’s a pretty good budget to be able to do all that and not raise taxes,” he said.